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Tag: fraud

  • N1.767b fraud: Trial stalled as witness alleges poisoning

    N1.767b fraud: Trial stalled as witness alleges poisoning

    A Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, Tuesday adjourned a N1.767 billion fraud suit filed against a former non-executive director of outdoor advertising firm, Afromedia, Mohammed Gobir, due to the prosecution witness’ ill health.

    Justice Raliat Adebiyi rescheduled cross examination of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) first witness, Akinlola Olapade, till June 16, after prosecutor, Mr. A.B.C. Ozioko, told the court that the witness may have suffered food poisoning.

    Ozioko said Olapade called him yesterday morning and explained that he was gravely ill.
    “He said he suddenly took ill and wasn’t able to sleep throughout the night till daybreak. He suspects food poisoning,” Ozioko informed the court.

    Olopade, he added, had been taken to hospital.

    Ozioko’s prayer for an adjournment was not opposed by defence counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), but the learned Silk applied that the defendant, Gobir, be allowed the use of his international passport.

    “The defendant is hampered in his movement, he’s a businessman and his business is suffering. I apply that he be allowed to make use of his passport,” Ayorinde said.

    Gobir, 55, is accused of fraudulently obtaining $3,500,000 (N696, 675,000); N514, 457,151.87; $2,102,740 (N418, 171,903.80); N123 million and £51,000 (N14, 667,898.25) totalling N1.767b from Afromedia.

    He is facing a 17-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, fraud, use of forged documents, and possession of forged documents preferred against him by the Commission.

    Olopade, Afromedia’s Group Managing Director (GMD), alleged on Monday, that Gobir obtained the money from the firm in various currencies by false pretence.

  • Clergy arraigned over alleged N5m fraud

    A 63-year old clergy man, Samuel Bonny, who allegedly cloned Access Bank Manager’s cheque for N5 million, was on Friday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The accused was, however, admitted to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

    Bonny is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and forgery.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Nicholas Akpene, said the accused and some others at large committed the offences on April 26 at 2pm, at a branch of Access Bank, Lagos.

    He said the accused attempted to defraud the bank by presenting the cloned cheque for confirmation.

    Akpene said the accused forged the cheque and presented it so that it would be acted upon as genuine.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 363 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate S. K. Matepo said the sureties must swear to affidavit of means and must be tax compliant and adjourned the case to May 25.

  • Businessman bags seven years for N171m fertiliser fraud

    Lagos High Court yesterday sentenced a businessman, Femi Ogunlowo, to seven years imprisonment for defrauding a Swiss fertiliser firm, Uralkali Trading SA, of $859,939.75 (N171.2 million).

    But Ogunlowo will spend two years in jail as the sentences will run concurrently. Justice Raliat Adebiyi sentenced him to 18 months in jail on counts one and two, and two years on counts three and four, making a total of seven years.

    Ogunlowo was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following an August 5, 2015 petition sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja, on behalf of the Office of the Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Switzerland.

    The petition alleged that some unknown persons from Nigeria broke into the server of Uralkali Trading SA’s Account and fraudulently transferred the $859,939.75 into some bank accounts in Nigeria.

    Investigators traced the amount to some corporate bank accounts in Nigeria.

    According to the EFCC, the accounts the money found and in which Ogunlowo is the sole signatory and director are Forston Construction Limited, Chestlinks Power System Limited, Chestlinks Concept Investment Limited, De Beauvior Integrated Limited and Crestcom Education Development Limited.

    Ogunlowo was alleged to have taken over the complainant’s email address and without the firm’s knowledge, transferred the $859,939.75 to two accounts in Mainland China and 10 accounts in Nigeria.

    He was arraigned on March 14, on a 10-count charge, which was amended to a four-count charge of conspiracy to steal, retaining stolen property, money laundering, retaining proceeds of criminal conduct and forgery.

    Ogunlowo pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

    During the trial, the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the defendant committed the offence between January 5 and 29, last year, in Lagos.

    He added that on January 6, last year, Ogunlowo tried to disguise the source of the money through unlawful financial transactions.

    The court heard that last October 4, in Lagos, Ogunlowo forged a document titled ‘Federal Republic of Nigeria National Driver’s License No: YYY 13850AA’ dated February 22, 2014, which he claimed was issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    Justice Adebiyi said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Ogunlowo.

  • High-profile fraud: EFCC probes four judges frustrating probe

    High-profile fraud: EFCC probes four judges frustrating probe

    •Considers tribunal to try suspects

    Four high court judges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are currently under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly frustrating the probe of high-profile corruption cases.

    The judges are said to have developed a penchant for going soft with suspects who approach their courts to stop their trial for corruption by EFCC.

    Their courts, The Nation gathered yesterday, have thus become an attraction for suspects who want to frustrate their trials.

    The anti- graft agency is already mulling the idea of a tribunal to try suspects with overwhelming evidence of corruption cases against them.

    A well placed source in EFCC said the agency’s suspicion was aroused by spurious injunctions’ persistently coming from the judges.

    “In the past few weeks, we have discovered that almost every day, there was one judgment or the other against us. We have been subjected to arrangee injunctions,” a well placed source said.

    “Some judges in the FCT have been bought over by some high-profile suspects on trial for corruption. From our findings, four judges are involved.

    “We are trying to reach out to the Chief Judge of FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello on our observations and the ethics of the Bench. What these big suspects do is that they always try to compromise these four judges. Thereafter, they bring applications to their courts under the enforcement of fundamental human rights to get reprieve and frustrate investigation by EFCC.

    “Even before we interrogate these suspects, the judges would have issued orders for their release.”

    The source said that although there are designated judges handling corruption-related matters “maybe we will come up with a tribunal to fast-track the trial of all these suspects who have looted our treasury.”

    The source however said that “the judges at the Federal High Court have improved on their treatment of corruption cases.”

    The EFCC recently lodged a formal complaint of alleged misconduct against Justice M. N. Yunusa  (Federal High Court) with the National Judicial Council  (NJC).

    He was alleged to have been bribed with N225,000 by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Rickey Tarfa.

    It was not immediately clear if these four judges might be referred to the NJC.

    A petition against a judge passes through four stages in NJC as follows:

    • Receipt of a petition by CJN.
    • Sending the petition to the Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee (PCAC) to determine the merit or otherwise of the issues.
    • Genuine complaint goes to NJC Plenary
    • NJC raises Fact-Finding Committee to hear from the petitioner(s) and the defendants and their lawyers.

    The NJC and the President are empowered to determine a judge’s fate in line with the process outlined by the  Part I, Paragraph I, Section 21(b) of the Third Schedule to the  1999 Constitution (as amended) and  Section 292(1)( a)(i)

    Part I, Paragraph I, Section 21(b) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, the said Third Schedule, Part I, Paragraph I, Section 21(b) of the Constitution provides that “the NJC shall have power to recommend to the President the removal from office of (the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Justices of the Supreme Court, the President and Justices of the Court of Appeal, and the Chief Judge and Judges of the Federal High Court) and to exercise disciplinary control over such officers”

    Section 292(1)( a)(i) says: “A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement, except in the following circumstances (a) in the case of the Chief Justice of Nigeria,  the President  of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the  High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and President, Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the President( of Nigeria), acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate, praying that he be so removed for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body) or for misconduct or contravention of the Code of Conduct.”

  • Police recruitment: PSC warns against defrauding applicants

    Police recruitment: PSC warns against defrauding applicants

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has warned that anybody caught giving or receiving money to facilitate the recruitment of applicants into the Nigeria Police Force would be investigated, arrested and prosecuted.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission.

    It said that some arrests have been made in some parts of the country and the Police are currently investigating the cases to establish the level of involvement of the culprits.

    The statement said that the commission has continued to receive reports of fraudsters soliciting for payment to help candidates either to obtain the recruitment forms or to assist them secure employment.

    `The commission wishes to reiterate that the recruitment forms are free and filled online without any person to person contact.

    It stated that Chairman of the commission, Mr. Mike Okiro, said the commission would deal decisively with anybody who decides to extort money from applicants to get the forms or secure employment.

    The statement called on the public to report to the commission any body found undermining the exercise through the illegal sale of the recruitment forms.

    It noted that the commission was committed to discharging this constitutional obligation of recruiting 10,000 policemen as directed by President Buhari to the satisfaction of Nigerians.

    The statement insisted that the hands of the commission are not tied by anybody and that it would be rigidly guided by the established criteria and qualifications.

    It warned staff of the commission to resist the temptation of receiving money from applicants or their sponsors.

    It said that the commission would not disappoint Nigerians in the conduct of the exercise which was at the heart of the survival of the nation.

    The statement said that as at 9:35a.m., April 27, a total of 806,646 applicants had submitted their applications.

    It said a break down shows that 232,857 are seeking for recruitment as ASPs, 190,415 as Inspectors and 383,374 as Constables.

    NAN reports that the deadline for the submission of forms ends on May 13.

  • EFCC uncovers $12.9b more fraud in arms deals probe

    EFCC uncovers $12.9b more fraud in arms deals probe

    Agency freezes $500m found in one account

    £600,000 wristwatch ‘seized from Diezani’

    FACTS & figures

    $12.9b •The fresh arms cash fraud uncovered by EFCC investigators

    N2.6b •Cost of an MRI machine ‘seized from  former Chief of Air Staff Adesola Amosu’

    £600,000 •The worth of a wristwatch ‘seized from Mrs Alison-Madueke’

    N2.3b •Part of the cash reportedly recovered from Amosu’s wife

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered $12.9billion more arms deals fraud during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, it was learnt yesterday.

    The development has brought arms funds, which were diverted to other uses, to $15billion as the initial probe covered only $2.1billion.

    As part of the ongoing investigation of the arms deals, the EFCC yesterday froze an account with $500million. The owner of the account was not immediately known.

    The anti-graft commission has seized houses from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Besides, a wrist watch worth £600,000 and jewelry in gold and diamond have been confiscated from Mrs Alison-Madueke, a source said.

    These details are contained in an update on the ongoing investigation of the arms deals by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

    There are indications that many military officers may be questioned.

    A source, who spoke in confidence on the investigation, said: “From our findings so far, the amount involved in the arms deals was over $15billion. The $2.1billion which you have written so much about is just one transaction into an account in the First Bank of Nigeria in New York.

    “They moved the money into the FBN account from where they were disbursing and re-routing the cash. Our priority is to recover these funds but we will still prosecute the individuals and companies involved.

    “Most of these companies were incorporated by serving military officers and these officers were the sole signatories into the accounts of these companies.

    “All these suspects are not showing remorse, they think that they can go away with the fraud but we won’t allow them.

    “Yet when we interrogate them, you see them wearing pampers and cannot stand or walk in public for a long time. Then, you are tempted to ask why they have to steal all these funds meant for public projects.

    “The Trauma Centre at the National Hospital with a helipad was built with N1.8billion; you can imagine how many of such centres and schools these looted funds can provide.”

    The source also explained that the EFCC yesterday intercepted about $500million in an account and blocked it.

    The source added: “Just some few hours ago, our investigators today (Tuesday) blocked an account with about $500million. We are already looking at all clues on how the cash was wired.

    “What we have recovered in just one year is more than the total recovery by the EFCC since inception. There was huge looting which will affect the coming generation if the funds are not recovered.”

    The source gave insights into the probe of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and businessman Jide Omokore.

    ”We have seized many houses belonging to Diezani and Omokore on Banana Island and other places. Also, a wristwatch of about £1.4million was seized from Omokore’s wife.

    “From the former minister, we have retrieved a choice wrist watch worth £600,000 and jewelry in gold and diamond. We will soon show Nigerians all these items for them to appreciate what we have done and to learn some lessons.”

    He explained that at the time the wrist watches were seized, the price tags were there.

    EFCC seizes N2.6b MRI machine from ex-Chief of Air Staff Amosu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized a N2.6billion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine from the Diagnostic Centre owned by a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

    The anti-graft agency discovered that the MRI machine was bought with some of the funds meant for arms purchase.

    The investigators claimed that while Amosu’s Diagnostic Centre has MRI equipment, none of the Air Force clinics nationwide could boast of such a state-of-the-art equipment.

    Also, there were indications last night that a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh may automatically  forfeit the controversial $1million(N318m)  found in his house to the Federal Government.

    Badeh, through his lawyer, Samuel O. Zibri (SAN) disowned ownership of the money.

    According to EFCC investigation,  some of the arms funds allegedly diverted by Amosu, were used to buy the MRI machine for the Diagnostic Centre.

    MRI is a non-invasive medical test that physicians use to diagnose and treat medical conditions.

    It was learnt that the centre might be confiscated by the government.

    A top source in the EFCC said: “After thorough investigations, we have seized a MRI equipment of about N2.6billion from Amosu’s Diagnostic Centre. We were able to trace the purchase of the machine to some of the diverted funds meant for procurement of arms.

    “We may also place the centre under temporary asset forfeiture pending the conclusion of the trial of the suspect.

    “All these assets are apart from the N2.3billion, houses, $140,000 and N381m recovered from Amosu’s wife.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The ex-Chief of Air Staff is still under investigation along with some military officers. We have not cleared him.”

    Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Badeh may automatically  forfeit the controversial $1million(N318m)  found in his house to the Federal Government.

    The EFCC source said: “We retrieved the cash from Badeh’s residence in Maitama District of Abuja and the operation was witnessed by his neighbours.

    “Now that he has denied having such, the cash will be automatically forfeited to the Federal Government.”

    Badeh, through his lawyer, Samuel O. Zibri (SAN) disowned claims that the money was recovered from his home.

    Zibri said: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication of March 7th 2016 to the effect that the sum of $1,000,000(One Million US Dollars) cash was recovered in the house of Air Chief Marshal A.S Badeh (Rtd). The said publication is not only malicious but wicked.

    “It is totally false and smacks of media campaign of calumny against the person of Air Marshal Alex.  Badeh (Rtd) The ten (10) count charge against our client along with the proof of evidence in the Federal High Court are public documents and can be accessed by the general public.

    “There is no such allegation and we challenge the faceless EFCC official to substantiate his claim. The Trial has commenced and as a law abiding citizen our client will defend himself in accordance with the law.”

     

  • Ex-envoy arraigned for alleged fraud

    Ex-envoy arraigned for alleged fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former ambassador to South Korea, Akpang Odu, at the Federal High Court in Lagos, for alleged fraud.

    He and his company, Boster Nigeria Limited, were accused of defrauding a firm, Leasing Company of Nigeria Limited, of N20 million.

    EFCC alleged that the former ambassador pretended that the money represented the value of furniture processing raw materials, which he purportedly bought from Iterk Associates Limited, a claim he knew to be false.

    The prosecution claimed that he collected the money, but did not deliver the goods, an offence EFCC said contravened Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 14, 2006.

    Odu, who retired as a major from the Army, pleaded not guilty. His lawyer urged the court to grant him bail on self-cognisance.

    “There is no way the defendant will run away from trial. He needs the trial to clear his name. He needs to show that it was a contractual transaction. This is one of those cases where EFCC is used as a debt recovery agent.

    “The business of the defendant, which is woodwork importation, was seriously affected by the country’s economic somersault, making it difficult for him to repay the money,” he said.

    Justice Buba granted Odu bail for N20 million, adding that he should be remanded in prison custody if he does not meet the bail condition.

    Trial will begin on May 26.

  • ‘Ekiti poll fraud must not stand’

    ‘Ekiti poll fraud must not stand’

    An interest group, Ekiti Redemption Group (ERG), has called on the judiciary to revisit the April 14, 2015 judgment, which validated the election of Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    It called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police to arrest all those indicted in the manipulation of the election, which it described as “heinous crime against Ekiti people”.

    Speaking yesterday, ERG National Coordinator Morakinyo Ogele called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to ensure the prosecution of the civilians named in what is now described as “Ekitigate”.

    He contended that the military has led the way in sanctioning its officers and men, who colluded with civilians to rig the election, saying the onus now lies with the aggrieved party (APC) to re-present its case in the nation’s highest court, the Supreme Court, in the light of new evidences.

    Ogele said the new facts of alleged fraud in the June 21, 2014 governorship poll had not come to light at the time the Supreme Court upheld Fayose’s return in the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ERG chief praised the former Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Kayode Oso, for resigning from the Fayose administration “instead of framing up the DSS and attacking the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari”.

  • ‘Fraud’: Police quiz Delta commissioner

    ‘Fraud’: Police quiz Delta commissioner

    Delta State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Asupa Forteta was yesterday grilled for over six hours by operatives of the Anti-Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

    The commissioner allegedly forged a tax clearance certificate to secure a contract with the state’s intervention agency, the Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

    The police team, led by Mr Austin Odion, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), stormed Asaba, the state capital, last Tuesday, to arrest Forteta.

    But the commissioner was said to be ill and admitted at an undisclosed hospital in Warri.

    He was said to have reported at the state’s police headquarters in Asaba at 10 am and was granted bail at 5:30 pm.

    Forteta’s arrest reportedly followed a petition by Chief Emmanuel Ogobene, accusing the commissioner of falsifying tax clearance certificate, using a non-existent business name, Deate Ventures, to secure a N140 million contract at DESOPADEC.

    The contract is said to be for the construction of a road and drainage at Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government.

    The petitioner was also said to have accused Forteta of fraudulently breaching a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 28, 2012, between Hotel De Harmony Nigeria Limited and Deate Ventures, which stipulated that the contract would be executed under the name of Deate Ventures and the profit shared on a 50-50 percentage ratio.

    Forteta reportedly told the police that at the time the contract was awarded to him, he had no money to execute it.

    This, it was learnt, forced him to look for a financier, who provided his company, Deate Ventures.

    It was also learnt that no one knew that the tax clearance was allegedly forged or that the company was not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja.

    The source added that Forteta was granted bail and his bail bond was signed by two sureties.

    Besides, the commissioner was asked to deposit his international passport with the police and report to their office in Lagos on April 18 for further interrogation.

    The police team, it was learnt, also wrote to DESOPADEC’s Managing Director William Makinde, inviting the agency’s Finance Director Sunday Ajamuofa as well as Mr David Ejukonemu, Moses Akwunike and Peter Ominije, next Monday, to explain their role in the alleged contract fraud and why the job was abandoned.

    Forteta said: “I will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion.”

  • Firm on trial for ‘wonder bank’ fraud

    A businessman, Emmanuel Ugoakaeze, has told an Ikeja High Court that a company, Nospecto Oil and Gas,  diverted his N540.7 million to financial firms running high-yield investment schemes, popularly called “wonder bank”.

    In charge No: ID/212/2011, Nospecto and four others are being accused of conspiracy, stealing and collecting deposits illegally from the public without a licence, preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    They were accused of fraudulently converting N360 million, property of Gladys Cho and Associates, and N180,750,000 belonging to Rivotel International Ltd, firms managed by Ugoakaeze.

    The other defendants are Alhaji Yusha’u Abdullahi Maiyaki; Alhaji Al-Sidiq Manga; Alhaji Monday Sumanu Philemon; and Alhaji Najeem Yusuf.

    The offences, the Commission said, were committed between August 2006 and May 2007 and are contrary to Sections 516, 383(1); (2)(f); 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap C17 Volume 2, Laws of Lagos 2003 (AS amended) and Sections 58(1) and 59(a)(b) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act LFN 2004.

    At the resumption of trial on March 28, Ugoakaeze, testifying before Justice Kudirat Jose for the prosecution during examination-in-chief, introduced himself as a director in a company, Rivotel International Ltd.

    Led on by EFCC counsel, Mr. A.M. Ocholi, he alleged that sometime in 2006, he was introduced to Alhaji Maiyaki, the chairman of Nospecto, by one Ambrose Okogie, a member of his church.

    “Ambrose had a business model that he said was generating N40,000 from an investment of N330,000 every month,” Ugoakaeze added.

    He explained that after the introduction to Maiyaki and Manga at a meeting, the defendants made a presentation and it was confirmed that the business “was real and authentic.”

    Ugoakaeze said: “I was encouraged to invest in it and I decided to give it a six-month trial. I later approached Alhaji Maiyaki, proposing that I wanted to buy land in Ikeja for a hotel. The cost of the land was N800 million.”

    He said he met the defendants and Maiyaki assured him they could manage his investments and urged him to invest his money in four companies appointed by them.

    “Their business, as per the MoU we signed, was transacting in oil and after he confirmed that they had licence to carry out the business. I sent N360 million to his suggested companies and they issued me with receipts. Eventually, we started transacting business and statements were coming,” Ugoakaeze said.

    He added that it was after six months that he saw on TV that “Nospecto was a fraud,” and that the company had invested his money in another company dealing in shares.

    “They introduced me to their stockbroker and it later occurred to me that the money I paid was diverted to several places. We visited their office in Victoria Island but they were no longer there.”

    The matter was adjourned by Justice Jose till May 23 and 31 for continuation of trial.